Cross-kingdom dsrna constructs for combined pathogen control and abiotic stress management in plants

Overview

This research program develops cross-kingdom double-stranded RNA constructs (CKDCs), an advanced biocidal RNA technology that simultaneously targets multiple genes across fungal pathogens and their plant hosts. Unlike traditional fungicides, these constructs can silence fungal virulence genes while also modulating plant regulatory genes that typically suppress responses to abiotic stress such as drought, heat, or salinity. The result is a dual-action solution that reduces disease symptoms while improving overall plant resilience.

Technical specifications

Core approach:

• Constructs use dsRNA molecules designed with sequences complementary to target mRNAs in both the pathogen and the host plant
• Each construct can target multiple genes simultaneously—for example, two fungal virulence genes and one plant regulatory gene, or vice versa
• Silencing occurs through the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, where the dsRNA triggers degradation of matching mRNA transcripts

Validation evidence:

• A GFP-expressing fungal strain was used as a model system; dsRNA targeting GFP mRNA successfully reduced the fluorescent signal compared to untreated controls
• Similar silencing effects were confirmed when GFP was replaced with actual fungal virulence genes
• These results establish proof of principle for gene-specific silencing in fungal pathogens

Future development pathway:

• Phase 1 (6 months): Design and test dsRNA-GFP constructs for silencing efficiency
• Phase 2 (12 months): Design CKDCs targeting three genes across fungal and plant hosts; test on pathogen-infected seedlings under glasshouse conditions
• Phase 3 (16 months): Quantify gene silencing and measure disease symptom reduction relative to untreated controls

Technology readiness level

This technology is at an early-to-mid stage of development. Proof-of-concept experiments have demonstrated that dsRNA constructs can successfully silence target genes in fungal pathogens, with clear differences between treated and untreated controls. The next phase involves extending this approach to dual-target cross-kingdom constructs and validating efficacy in whole-plant systems under controlled glasshouse conditions. The technology represents a promising alternative to chemical fungicides with the added benefit of improving plant stress tolerance, though further field validation and optimization will be needed before commercial deployment.